New Years message from ELF President Peter Mundy

31.12.2005

TO ALL LACROSSE PLAYERS,

With the New Year approaching it is a good time to reflect on the successes and disappointments of the past year and one's hopes for the New Year, which is my reason for writing to you.

By far, the most important Lacrossse Event was the introduction by the European Lacrosse Magazine, already on its fourth issue. We owe a debt of gratitude to Michael Hoeck and his editorial team for this high quality publication. In turn, we must support the magazine by renewing our annual subscription and by recruiting new subscribers.

The expansion of our game in Europe is very pleasing. In The Netherlands there has been an increase from one to six men's teams, with the Dutch ladies not to be outdone, they met together in early December with representatives from four teams.

Norway are building on their original in Bergen, with a University team in Oslo and the strong possibility of a team starting in Stavanger.

The Danube Conference is now fielding six teams. Based in Vienna but playing Tournament style games at each team's home venue.

There is a new ladies team in Jyvaskla, Finland.

Junior teams are proliferating in Sweden, Germany, and The Netherlands. The International School in Brussels held a very successful Tournament in the Summer, with teams travelling from Sweden, Germany and England to participate.

The Ladies "Newcomers" Tournament in Copenhagen, with teams from six countries, was a great success, with U.S. coaches, thoughtfully provided by the Development Committee of the International Lacrosse Federation, contributing to the further development of the Ladies game by running a Clinic during the event.

The Referees Camp in Bratislava, Slovakia, was voted a "not to be missed" event by those attending, with the renowned Graham Lester of the U.K., passing on his knowledge of the rules with characteristic good humour.

The South of England Men's Assn., revitalised itself, after 123 years existence, by introducing 16 new teams, thereby enabling them to increase their leagues from two to four.

Box Lacrosse is gaining devotees, with a Tournament in Rotterdam during October. The Danube League a keen interest in Box, which will find hearty support from the teams in Prague where this form of Lacrosse has many dedicated players of long standing.

So much for the old year, what about 2006?

We are working on a number of new projects, the introduction of Field Lacrosse to the education authority in St.Petersburg. The possibility of a team in Tallin, Estonia, will, it is hoped, also increase the lacrosse estate.

The University in Zurich, Switzerland, is also recruiting players, 15 at the last count. As is The American School in Switzerland, the latter having recently received a grant of equipment from our Federation.

Our Website is being revised in order to make it even more "user friendly".

There will be a European Lacrosse Convention in Maastricht, The Netherlands, on 14th and 15th April, to plan our long term development, together with other relevant matters.

Coaching Camps will be held in Riga, Latvia, and Bratislava, Slovakia, probably in May, with professional U.S. Coaches arranged by the International Lacrosse Federation Development Committee.

The usual Tournaments will take place, please check the European Lacrosse Magazine or our website for details (in 2005 there were 18 events listed).

To assist ELF Funds, it is hoped to form an organization, provisionally called "The Friends of the ELF". At the present time the only regular income received by the ELF is derived from the annual membership fee paid by each membership country, currently 50 Euros per country. Therefore, in order to increase our funds, so necessary for future expansion, the proposed new body will consist of individual subscribers, each paying about 40 Euros per annum as Friends of the ELF.

In return a Friend will receive a Members Tie, together with a paid subscription to the European Lacrosse Magazine and the use of the Friends Hospitality Tent at a number of the larger Tournaments. Further details about the formation of the Friends will be the Spring.

When I started this letter I had only intended to give you a short review of our current position, but it has turned out to be a lengthy epistle; I do not apologize, the day we have nothing to talk about will be a sad one.

I conclude by thanking all those numerous officials and players who have given so much of their time in developing and running the events I have referred to and take the opportunity to wish you a HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE NEW YEAR.

Yours sincerely,

P.J. Mundy
President